Study to build the country’s largest Hydropower project by closing Kaligandaki

GALKOT: TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 – For the prosperity of western Nepal, a study has been started at the initiative of the local level to generate electricity by blocking the Kaligandaki river. With the aim of constructing a reservoir-based Hydropower project by blocking the Kaligandaki River flowing from Baglung, Parbat and Gulmi districts, an environmental impact assessment has been started after a preliminary study.

Rabi Nepal, an engineer at the Department of Power Development, informed that the study was started after the Department of Power Development entrusted the study to JV Smack International and Jade Consult Nepal of Australia as consultants through a global tender. According to him, work is underway to determine the area for environmental impact assessment.

The proposed Kaligandaki Reservoir Hydropower Project, which is said to generate 844 MW of electricity, is the largest hydropower project in Nepal. The Department of Power Development is proposing the project to determine the affected area, inundation area, dam and power house construction area.

According to JV Smack International Australia and Jade Consult Nepal, the project is being carried out to include Baglung Municipality of Baglung District, Kushma Municipality of Parbat District, Jaljala Municipality, Phalewas Municipality, Bihadi Municipality, Paiyu Municipality and Kaligandaki Municipality of Gulmi.

At present, suggestions are being collected for the natural and physical system, biological system, social system, cultural system and economic system of the ward and the area that may be affected in the seven municipalities. For this, the consultants are working on issuing public information, holding public hearings and taking initiative for the construction of Kaligandaki Reservoir Hydropower Project, said Phalewas Municipality Mayor Padampani Sharma.

He said that the proposal for a reservoir-based hydropower project was submitted to the ministry two years ago to make a leap forward in terms of tourism along with hydropower. “After being elected, we searched for a long-term and multi-purpose project to see what can be done for the prosperity of the city. During the study, hydropower was seen,” said Mayor Sharma. , Bihadi and Paiyu villages have also been included, it will be the basis of prosperity not only of Gandaki but also of Nepal. According to Sharma, the Ministry of Local Level and Energy has taken interest in the plan and allocated budget for environmental impact assessment this year.

The project is being studied to be completed in the next seven to 10 years. Janak Raj Poudel, chief of the affected municipality, said that the project, which is bigger, cheaper and less damaging than other reservoir-based Hydropower projects in Nepal, is believed to be a model of the country and a big leap forward even in terms of tourism.

The project, which is currently being studied at a cost of Rs. 8-10 crore. By constructing a 250 meter high dam in Bihadi, water will be collected up to Kushma Municipality-1 Nayapul of Parbat District when the Kaligandaki River is blocked.

Areas that can be affected for environmental impact assessment include 13 wards of Baglung Municipality, four wards of Kathekhola Municipality, one ward of Bareng Municipality, 8 and 9 wards of Jaljala Municipality of Parbat District, six of Bihadi Municipality, seven of Paiyu Municipality, four of Modi Municipality and six of Mahashila Municipality, two wards of Galyang municipality of Syangja district, four wards of Waling municipality, two wards of Bhirkot municipality, two wards of Arjun Chaupari and seven wards of Kaligandaki village municipality and one ward of Satyawati village municipality of Gulmi district are estimated. RSS